Château Pichon Baron Pauillac 1855 2ième Cru 2011

The black fruits that dominate the palate on this vintage are savoury, slightly subdued, so make sure you give them time to be coaxed out of the glass. As it opens, a floral and chiselled Cabernet expression takes over, with rose stems, smoked earth and tight cassis fruits. This is a lovely wine that shows a more subtle side of Pauillac. Tannins remain young, in that they are present at the forefront of the mouth, pressing in and slightly austere, but with juice on the finish and plenty of promise. Unrolls slowly and has decades ahead of it. 80% new oak. Jean-Rene Matignon technical director.